Lyons Village Library became Lyons Township District Library under Library Director Vicki Reinhardt's watch. On Friday, after almost 12 1/2 years at the library's helm, Reinhardt is retiring.

The library board and Friends of the Lyons Township District Library are holding a farewell party for her from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, so patrons and friends can stop in for refreshments and to say goodbye.

Prior to becoming library director, Reinhardt spent eight years as a library aide, working at Boyce Elementary School in Ionia, Twin Rivers Elementary School in Muir and Ionia Middle School. Before that, she spent four years in elementary and middle school classrooms as a paraprofessional.

"Working for a school library and a public library is so different," she said. "There was so much I didn't know, about law, policy, procedures. It's been such a learning experience – I feel like I am still learning."

When Reinhardt joined the Lyons library staff, she didn't know it would become a district library for Lyons, Muir, Pewamo and Lyons Township. That, too, presented a learning curve, because district library law and operations are different from those of a village library.

"You take it for granted that you know something, until it becomes a challenge that you have to dig into more deeply and learn more about it," she said.

What has been consistent for Reinhardt in working with both types of libraries is the opportunity to serve, and her enjoyment of helping people.

"My favorite thing is serving the patrons and making them happy," she said. "I love ordering books that patrons want and enjoy. When someone needs something, I like to research it. I like making people happy – that is what I will miss the most."

Reinhardt said she feels fortunate to meet "great people," she said, listing some of the groups she was instrumental in launching at the library, including the weekly writing group, a monthly book discussion group and children's story hour; and others she has enjoyed, such as the Friends group and participants at programs and events she has planned and attended in the community.

"The library is not just a building, but the patrons who come in and the people who work in it are the library," she added.

She noted that one of the benefits of working in a small library is that she has become friends with so many people in the district the library serves.

"My staff members, the patrons who come in and the people involved in the community are my friends," Reinhardt said. "The community really pulls together when there is a need, because everybody knows everybody."

For many in the district, Reinhardt has been the face of the library, said staff member Shelly Corbeil.

Page 2 of 2 - "She always looks on the bright side of things, and comes into work with a wonderful attitude," Corbeil said. "She really is the library."

"Vicki has always welcomed my kids, and she's been a huge supporter of home schooling and us as a home schooling family. My kids love her and they'll miss her, too," said Lyons resident Jennifer Dugan, who also is a member of the Friends of the library. "Whatever we want to try to do, she's always been a huge help. She's always easy to work with. We're going to miss her."

Susan Craft, who is the library board's vice president, said she was on the village council when Reinhardt was hired in November 2000.

"She did a nice job doing the transition over from the village library to the district library in January 2003," Craft said. "She did a great job for the library. I wish her well. I'm glad she is following her heart, and doing what she wants to do with her life."

Board President Jerry Rich said Reinhardt has been "a great advantage for the library," especially since the library's transition to a district library.

"She has kept that in her head and heart since all that took place," Rich said. "She has given of herself, and she is very much responsible for where the library is at today. She has meant a lot to the library and she is going to be missed greatly by everybody."

Reinhardt said she plans to get back to writing stories and poetry for children; playing her violin, guitar, Native American flute and a host of other instruments she has taught herself to play; crocheting rugs and learning how to quilt; making even more frequent trips with her husband to the Upper Peninsula to camping and kayaking; as well as taking nature photographs, walking and reading.

She also plans to spend more time with her family, husband, Jerry; daughters Hope Verro and Emily Tucker; and grandchildren Lauren, Devon and Mikey Verro and Grace, Eli and Lily Tucker.

"My grandkids are kind of bummed out because they won't get to come to the library to see grandma anymore," she said.